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As a 40 year old man myself, I've felt the growing ageism in the tech industry since I turned 30. This even here in laid back RTP, NC. I'd imagine it's worse of

As a 40 year old man myself, I've felt the growing ageism in the tech industry since I turned 30. This even here in laid back RTP, NC. I'd imagine it's worse off in the startupy world in Silicon Valley. Every man is different, but I think for me it's a matter of not being able to provide the lifestyle I want to provide for my wife and kids. The movie RV (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449089/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449089/) is quite relevant too. As a former software developer who is now being forced into a powerpoint developer role but is not quite a manager, what can be done?

mpdehaan2 12y ago
I live in RTP and don't find the ageism thing to be too notable, but I do note that companies do like to hire people like themselves at times, and this is the one thing that happens in an interview that nobody talks about - what really is "cultural fit". Though, often, that's not hiring the guy that has been burned out by 40 years at IBM - not because he's old, but because that place can eat your soul out. Younger employees want to feel like they'll be able to make decisions too. Computer Science seems prone to this because it's such a weird mix of creative and also deeply technical, it almost seems to make it a harder field to work in sometimes, because both instincts can't usually be expressed well in group contexts. As for the perception of why ageism may exist, newer folks want to replace technology quicker, and don't have as much historical memory, so if anything, I think the challenge is to keep replacing things you are working on, and not specialize too much. I think this will also get easier as the big wave of new C.S. folks get older themselves, but I built my last company with most of everyone in their 30s and early 40s. Might vary based on what sort of companies.v Startups seem more prone to it to me, but my startup was pretty well spread out. More established companies are less likely to be that way.
- wlesieutre 12y ago
  RTP?
  - crazy_geek 12y ago
    Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA I presume. If you're not in the know, it's another tech center in the US
    - wlesieutre 12y ago
      Ah, I'm aware of the research triangle, but "RTP" is new for me. Thanks!
rndrnd 12y ago
In terms of what can be done, this recent thread on ageism might help: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9361580 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9361580
crazy_geek 12y ago
For me, it wasn't so much the explicit ageism (though it was there to be sure), but more of not fitting in because since some time in my 30's, my social interests don't revolve around the consumption of alcohol anymore, and I've got better/more important things to do after work than hang around with coworkers. Leaving the silicon-valley-flavored "startup scene" (though I'm at a startup, just not a "startup" startup, per se) where I get to work with grown-ups, while not as profitable, has been a nice lifestyle change, and I highly recommend it.

mpdehaan2 12y ago

I live in RTP and don't find the ageism thing to be too notable, but I do note that companies do like to hire people like themselves at times, and this is the one thing that happens in an interview that nobody talks about - what really is "cultural fit". Though, often, that's not hiring the guy that has been burned out by 40 years at IBM - not because he's old, but because that place can eat your soul out. Younger employees want to feel like they'll be able to make decisions too. Computer Science seems prone to this because it's such a weird mix of creative and also deeply technical, it almost seems to make it a harder field to work in sometimes, because both instincts can't usually be expressed well in group contexts. As for the perception of why ageism may exist, newer folks want to replace technology quicker, and don't have as much historical memory, so if anything, I think the challenge is to keep replacing things you are working on, and not specialize too much. I think this will also get easier as the big wave of new C.S. folks get older themselves, but I built my last company with most of everyone in their 30s and early 40s. Might vary based on what sort of companies.v Startups seem more prone to it to me, but my startup was pretty well spread out. More established companies are less likely to be that way.

wlesieutre 12y ago
RTP?
- crazy_geek 12y ago
  Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA I presume. If you're not in the know, it's another tech center in the US
  - wlesieutre 12y ago
    Ah, I'm aware of the research triangle, but "RTP" is new for me. Thanks!

rndrnd 12y ago

In terms of what can be done, this recent thread on ageism might help: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9361580 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9361580

crazy_geek 12y ago

For me, it wasn't so much the explicit ageism (though it was there to be sure), but more of not fitting in because since some time in my 30's, my social interests don't revolve around the consumption of alcohol anymore, and I've got better/more important things to do after work than hang around with coworkers. Leaving the silicon-valley-flavored "startup scene" (though I'm at a startup, just not a "startup" startup, per se) where I get to work with grown-ups, while not as profitable, has been a nice lifestyle change, and I highly recommend it.